Strictly Come Dancing: the road to the final

It seems such a long time ago, before Sergeant-gate, the semi final voting scandal ... the 16 original Strictly contestants line up before the first show Photograph: BBC

Madame Tussauds unveils its stunningly lifelike Strictly Come Dancing waxworks. No, no, it's a Strictly results show. Winner pictured - somewhere Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

It went that way. No, it went that way! Tom and Austin estimate the effect on John Sergeant's after-dinner speaking earning potential after his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

Strictly Come Dancing's back! See what we've done there? The second from the left is actually John Sergeant in drag. No, of course it's not. It's (from left) Kristina Rihanoff, Flavia Cacace, Lilia Kopylova And Ola Jordan behind the scenes on the show Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

The look on James Jordan's face says it all. 'I wish I hadn't worn the sleeveless top. Not with these leather wristbands.' Jordan and his dance partner, Cherie Lunghi, are about to get their marching orders. Lisa and Brendan are about to march on Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

'I've bitten my tongue!' Tess Daly and the Strictly Come Dancing team receiving an award for the most popular talent show at the 2008 National Television Awards. Brucie was at home, polishing his golf clubs Photograph: Ian West/PA

'Come on, love, I think you've had one too many.' Not really - it's John Sergeant dancing with Kristina Rihanoff. Really, this is dancing Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

'And this is why I have decided to stand for parliament.' The world goes temporarily off its axis as John Sergeant makes the headlines with his premature withdrawal from the show. Pictured, from left, are dance partner Kristina Rihanoff, Sergeant, the BBC1 controller Jay Hunt and the BBC entertainment boss, Elaine Bedell, now on gardening leave before she joins ITV Photograph: PA

If only Sergeant hadn't pulled out, we could be watching a whole load more of this in the final. It's the former newsman's last waltz with his dance partner, Kristina Rihanoff Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

'Oh no, I've been partnered with John Sergeant!' Bruce Forsyth, Sergeant and Kristina Rihanoff Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

'So how many giant voting cock-ups are there going to be in this year's semi-final?' Judge Craig Revel Horwood gets it right on the money, with fellow judges Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli. In actual fact, he was scoring John Sergeant Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

Hands up who wants to guest host Have I Got News For You? It's group dance time Photograph: BBC/BBC

This man could be on the next series of Strictly Come Dancing. Or maybe not. Peter Mandelson said he had been watching Strictly Come Dancing and 'cheering for John Sergeant on Saturday with, I have to say, a degree of envy'. He told the BBC it would be nice to be asked to take part. Yeah, right ... Photograph: BBC/BBC

'It's a lovely sized bedroom, but I'm not sure about the mirrored wardrobes.' Brendan and Lisa in rehearsal Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

'Where's Rachel gone? Anyone seen Rachel?' 'She's behind you, Vincent!' Stevens and Simone get into the panto spirit in the semi-final Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

Brendan laughed so much at Tom's dance he split his sides. Lisa, meanwhile, is worried the strap on her top has snapped and her skirt is about to fall off Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

The expressions on their faces say: 'Don't worry about voting, chaps, we're going to be in the final anyway!' Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup in the live semi-final. They could have danced like horses - what do you mean they did? - and they still would have made it into the final when the top two couples tied after the judges' votes. Red faces all round Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC

'I'm sorry mate, I've got the panto gig in Harrogate.' No, of course not - the reason for the relief on Tom Chambers' face is that he's made it through to the final after a voting mix-up despite finishing bottom in the judges' estimations. He's hugging Brendan Cole with (from left) Rachel Stevens, Vincent Simone, Lisa Snowdon and Camilla Dallerup in the background Photograph: BBC/BBC

Finalist Rachel Stevens and her dance partner, Vincent Simone, in action during the final Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PA

Tom Chambers with his dance partner, Camilla Dallerup, during the final Photograph: BBC/BBC

Tom Chambers and his dance partner, Camilla Dallerup, celebrate winning the Strictly Come Dancing 2008 final with presenter Bruce Forsyth Photograph: Guy Levy/BBC/PA